SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON last night warned England that Middlesbrough's Szilard Nemeth wants to give the performance of his life to scupper their Euro 2004 hopes.

Nemeth, 25, scored against England last October and is desperate to win his battle with Gareth Southgate, who will mark him at the Riverside this evening.

England's untried central defensive partnership of Southgate and Matthew Upson faces a stiff test from Slovakia, who pushed them to the limit in Bratislava.

And after struggling to nail down a first-team place at Middlesbrough this season, Nemeth has the opportunity to prove a point at England's expense.

Eriksson said: "Nemeth will try to have the match of his life in front of his club fans.

"Slovakia played well against Turkey on Saturday. They lost but I thought they deserved at least a draw.

"They created good opportunities and they were fighting until the last second of the game. Two minutes from the end, they had an excellent chance to score.

"Physically, they seem to be in very good shape, and they have some very good players."

Southgate was dropped by Eriksson after England's close shave in the first meeting with Slovakia, who went 1-0 ahead through Nemeth before losing 2-1.

His status as one of his country's most senior players has helped Southgate become vice-captain tonight.

But he is worried Nemeth, who scored just seven goals for Middlesbrough in 2002-03, will embarrass England.

Southgate said: "The style of Szilard's game is possibly better suited to European and international football. He's a very instinctive player.

"He found his first season in the Premiership very difficult but he was a lot stronger last year.

"He didn't always have the run in the team that he would have liked, but when he played he scored some important goals.

"He's a big favourite with the supporters and I'm sure in his third year here he will get even stronger."